Berlin is an unusual city, so if you are out souvenir hunting, or just want an unusual gift for an unusual friend then check out Ausberlin. They have lots of Berlin inspired stuff, all made by starving artists based here, so you won’t have to worry about lining the pockets of some executive.

From funky lights to throw pillows featuring iconic Berlin architecture, to T-shirts with offensive (and inoffensive) slogans, to local music on vinyl, to paper dolls featuring the various types of Berlinerinnen, you can probably find something you didn’t even know you were looking for. Which baker in your life wouldn’t love cookie cutters shaped like the various districts of Berlin, or perhaps the Bundesländer, or even the continents of the world?

Of course there are other non-Berlin inspired objects on which you can exercise your conspicuous consumption. Felt has been around for centuries but thanks to modern crafters you can now purchase felt holsters for your smart phone, tablet computer or your spare change even. How about a kidney warmer (trust me, ask a German)? Or a book about street art around the world?

A few years ago I switched from public transport to a bicycle to explore the city. I don’t regret it. Riding your bike is the best way to discover the city. Riding a nice bike is even better. A few years ago I started to ride a semi old red French racing bike which was sleeping in my parents’ garage. The first thing I had to do was find a bicycle connoisseur because the more you use it the more you need to take care of it, it was better to find an appropriate shop.

Desperately looking for a bike force I ended up in the Cicli Berlinetta bike shop. The place is a goldmine for vintage racing bike-, Italian frame- or track bike-lovers. It feels like being in a candy shop, except you can’t eat the colorful frames or numerous accessories. There I found a very good mechanic and I can keep my bike in constant good shape. Did you know you should change your bike chains regularly? Now I know.

If you can find a wine shop in every street of Paris, you will find a bike shop in almost every street of Berlin. Therefore the cost for bike repairs is pretty standard, what you need is to find your dealer, I found mine. But be aware there is room for addiction here… You will always find the missing accessory, whether you need it or not, especially if you don’t need one right now…

Since I moved to Berlin I have often heard about a great Asian market, Vietnamese market to be precise, located somewhere in Lichtenberg. I’m usually not against riding a few kilometers to get good products, be it a burger or spicy food but I never had the occasion – until last summer 2014 – to visit this peculiar spot.

The place is no secret, Google Maps shows it, it is huge and located in an area which looks a bit like Detroit after the crisis. Almost all the windows along the street are broken. Only the letters of the name Dong Xuan Center written on an invisible arch are there to welcome you. A large parking place to your left and at least six giant market halls in front of you. A tour into these halls is definitively an exotic experience. The shops are mostly intended for professionals to purvey their stock, but if you want to open a nail shop you are at the right place.

And there are restaurants, eyes blinking. I’ve had the best Pho soups ever in Berlin, it’s cheaper than in the city center, it’s bigger, it’s more delicious. During the weekend many families come. It’s authentic. You get the full food experience with all the condiments on the table that go with your soup: spicy sauce, lemon, minced red chili, marinated sliced garlic. Each meal I had reminded me of my beloved home chinatown – the thirteenth arrondissement of Paris. Enjoy.

St George is a small English bookstore in Wörtherstrasse. The place is packed with new and second hand books in English.

I stopped there some time ago and got Bukowski’s “What matters most is how well you walk through the fire”. I opened the book by chance and got to stare at two white pages. And remembered I wanted to write about the place.

However, such a location has an ability of weaving its own story. And on top of everything, the team behind the books is very friendly. Every now and then, they also organize evenings meant to bring people together, to read each other or to each other.

Spielwiese is a one room, rather small, but cosy bar/ shop close to Warschauerstraße.What make it a special bar are its walls – they are packed with over 1100 games. Chess, Siedler, Monopoly, Risk and Magnet Table Football and many others one could not yet imagine. Games are available for rent and sale too.

The owner of the place, Michael Schmitt, will amaze you with his knowledge of games. There might be people guessing in coffee, others in stars, Michael might be able to guess the game matching your personality.